But woe the while, our Fathers mindes are dead, Cask. Indeed, they say, the Senators to morrow And he shall weare his Crowne by Sea, and Land, Cassi. I know where I will weare this Dagger then; Cassius from Bondage will deliver Cassius: Therein, yee Gods, you make the weake most strong; But Life being wearie of these worldly Barres, If I know this, know all the World besides, I can shake off at pleasure. Cask. So can I: Thunder still. So every Bond-man in his owne hand beares The power to cancell his Captivitie. Cassi. And why should Cæsar be a Tyrant then? Poore man, I know he would not be a Wolfe, But that he sees the Romans are but Sheepe: He were no Lyon, were not Romans Hindes. Those that with haste will make a mightie fire, Begin it with weake Strawes. What trash is Rome? What Rubbish, and what Offall? when it serves For the base matter, to illuminate So vile a thing as Cæsar. But oh Griefe, Where hast thou led me? I (perhaps) speake this Before a willing Bond-man: My answere must be made. then I know But I am arm'd, I 20 And dangers are to me indifferent. Cask. You speake to Caska, and to such a man, And I will set this foot of mine as farre, As who goes farthest. Cassi. There's a Bargaine made. 130 1 importunate Now know you, Caska, I have mov'd already Is Favors, like the Worke we have in hand, Enter Cinna. 140 Caska. Stand close a while, for heere comes one in haste. Cassi. 'Tis Cinna, I doe know him by his Gate, He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so? Cinna. To finde out you: Who's that, Metellus Cymber? Cassi. No, it is Caska, one incorporate 150 To our Attempts. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna? Cinna. I am glad on't. What a fearefull Night is this? There's two or three of us have seene strange sights. Cassi. Am I not stay'd for? tell me. Cinna. Yes, you are. O Cassius, 152-3. 1 1.-RowE. 144-5. verse-RowE. 148-9. verse-RowE. 155-8. 3 ll. ending are, could, party-2SINGER. If you could but winne the Noble Brutus To our party Cassi. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this Paper, And looke you lay it in the Pretors Chayre, Where Brutus may but finde it: and throw this 160 Repaire to Pompeyes Porch, where you shall finde us. Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there? 170 Cinna. All, but Metellus Cymber, and hee's gone To seeke you at your house. Well, I will hie, And so bestow these Papers as you bad me. Cassi. That done, repayre to Pompeyes Theater. Exit Cinna. Come Caska, you and I will yet, ere day, See Brutus at his house: three parts of him Is ours alreadie, and the man entire Upon the next encounter, yeelds him ours. Cask. O, he sits high in all the Peoples hearts: And that which would appeare Offence in us, His Countenance, like richest Alchymie, Will change to Vertue, and to Worthinesse. 180 Cassi. Him, and his worth, and our great need of him, You have right well conceited: let us goe, For it is after Mid-night, and ere day, We will awake him, and be sure of him. Actus Secundus. Exeunt. [Scene i. Rome. Brutus's orchard.] Enter Brutus in his Orchard. Brut. What Lucius, hoe? I cannot, by the progresse of the Starres, Give guesse how neere to day—Lucius, I say? Enter Lucius. Luc. Call'd you, my Lord? Brut. Get me a Tapor in my Study, Lucius: When it is lighted, come and call me here. Luc. I will, my Lord. Exit. ΙΟ 20 Brut. It must be by his death: and for my part, I know no personall cause, to spurne at him, But for the generall. He would be crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's the question? It is the bright day, that brings forth the Adder, And that craves warie walking: Crowne him that, And then I graunt we put a Sting in him, That at his will he may doe danger with. Th'abuse of Greatnesse, is, when it dis-joynes Remorse from Power: And to speake truth of Cæsar, I have not knowne, when his Affections sway'd More then his Reason. But 'tis a common proofe, That Lowlynesse is young Ambitions Ladder, Whereto the Climber upward turnes his Face: But when he once attaines the upmost Round, He then unto the Ladder turnes his Backe, Lookes in the Clouds, scorning the base degrees1 By which he did ascend: so Cæsar may; 1steps 30 Then least he may, prevent. And since the Quarrell Will beare no colour, for the thing he is, Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented, 1 Which hatch'd, would as his kinde grow mischievous; And kill him in the shell. 18. Crowne bim that: Crown him? that; ——Cambridge. Enter Lucius. Luc. The Taper burneth in your Closet, Sir: Gives him the Letter. Brut. Get you to Bed againe, it is not day: Is not to morrow (Boy) the first of March? 40 Brut. Looke in the Calender, and bring me word. Luc. I will, Sir. Exit. Opens the Letter, and reades. Such instigations have beene often dropt, Where I have tooke them up: Shall Rome, &c. Thus must I piece it out: 50 Shall Rome stand under one mans awe? What Rome? My Ancestors did from the streetes of Rome The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a King. 60 To speake, and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, Enter Lucius. Luc. Sir, March is wasted fifteene dayes. 66. fifteene: fourteen-THEOBALD. Knocke within. |